What Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said he remembered most about Dee Gordon's first stint in the majors wasn't his speed or his swing.

Speaking about the shortstop prospect the Dodgers sent to triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, Mattingly recalled a recent conversation they had in the infield during batting practice.

Gordon wasn't hitting and Mattingly asked him about the kind of adjustments he was thinking of making against certain pitchers. Mattingly said he liked what the kid was telling him, that he liked how he was thinking.

Later in the conversation, Mattingly said Gordon told him, "I want to be the best."

General Manager Ned Colletti said he was most impressed by Gordon's intellectual and emotional maturity.

"He has a real good feel for the game," Colletti said. "He was able to slow things down more than not."

Gordon, 23, batted .232 and stole six bases in 11 tries in 22 games with the Dodgers. With Rafael Furcal back on the active roster, Gordon faced the prospect of decreased playing time, something that was unacceptable to management.

"This is the best thing for Dee right now," Mattingly said. "If Dee's going to be here, he needs to be playing."

Mattingly said he expected Gordon to be back in the majors at some point this season.

Gordon's spot on the roster was taken by utilityman Eugenio Velez, who was batting .335 in triple A.

Mattingly said he thought Gordon would benefit from the knowledge that he can play in the major leagues.

Gordon sounded certain of that fact as he removed his belongings from his locker and put them into his travel bag.

"I can play at this level," he said. "That's not even a question in my mind."